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Kansas Crime Unit

Incident/Offense Report

Detective's Incident Summary



Date and Time of Report: May 12th, 2009 3:00 pm
Case/Incident Number: TRC09
Lead Detective Assigned to Case: Lt. Dan Fife
Type of Crime or Incident: Robbery

Location of Incident:
120 SE 10th Ave.
Topeka, KS 66612

Incident - The Set Up:

NARRATIVE
At approximately 3:00 PM on May 12th, 2009, 28 classrooms across the state were reported to have been robbed of some traditional teaching methods. The victims were caught by surprise and immediately notified after the Board of Education meeting. There was no evidence of forced entry. Building Principals stated that the classrooms, which contained information regarding instructional materials and student achievement, had been breached. The School Resource Officer stated that he had overheard conversations of “new teaching and learning” for quite some time now but had no idea that it was going to look like this. Police have discovered a variety of technology left behind in the classrooms, including laptop computers, interactive white boards, projectors and more. Investigators have recovered a set of bookmarks, a map and a coded e-mail message.

SUPPORTING/BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Since 2003, Technology Rich Classrooms have been appearing across the state. It appears that the purpose of the Technology Rich Classroom program is to provide evidence that technology, when integrated into a technology-rich learning environment and supported by strong, on-going professional development, can produce positive changes in the classroom environment that results in improved student learning in the areas of reading, math and science.

While focusing on these technology-rich learning environments, the following program goals are also being targeted:
  • Students enhance their knowledge of reading, math, and science through 21st Century Context and the use of 21st Century Learning Tools.
  • Teachers improve their technology skills and use those improved skills to integrate technology across content areas at increasingly advanced levels of integration.
  • TRC Project supports grantees’ movement toward a self-sustaining technology-rich learning environment.
  • School Leaders are engaged in the support of TRC Classrooms, TRC Schools and the TRC Project.

KSDE has targeted the competitive portion of Enhancing Education Through Technology funds available to Kansas schools under Title II, Part D of the ESEA Reauthorization, No Child Left Behind, to assist schools with student and teacher empowerment to infuse technology into an engaging and active environment that enables the learner to become a technologist, problem solver, researcher and communicator. Powerful technology integration strategies cannot emerge without hands-on, "real" learning opportunities for students and teachers. Technology is a powerful tool, but it is only a tool. Effective teaching practices must first be in place before technology can be utilized to its fullest potential. Through the power of technology, learning can happen anytime and anywhere. As educators, we need to provide realistic and meaningful learning opportunities both in and outside the classroom.

In recent years, Kansas schools and districts have experienced significant growth in adoption and implementation of technologies in the learning environment. Technology can increase the versatility and value of learning and create an engaging learning environment for students. Kansas schools implementing technologies have learned that effective teaching practices and on-going, high quality professional development must be in place before technology can be utilized to its fullest potential.

In order to continue building on the promise these technologies can bring to our schools, it is essential to look at the results of these technologies when deeply integrated into classroom instruction. It is known that teachers move beyond surface integration of technologies when support and professional development focus on content, pedagogy, and the blend of technology into both domains (Wetzel, 2001).

To assist schools and districts in replicating the professional development component of the Technology Rich Classroom project, participants receive extensive instruction and resources to promote effective technology use in the classroom. Participants learn from other teachers how, when, and where to incorporate technology tools and resources into their lesson plans. In addition, they experience new approaches to create assessment tools and align lessons with educational learning goals and standards. The program incorporates use of the Internet, Web page design, and student projects as vehicles to powerful learning.

EVIDENCE/MATERIALS FOR REVIEW
  1. E-mail messages
  2. Interrogation Expert
  3. Bookmarks
  4. Map
  5. Technology Integration Videos
  6. Suspect Profiles

YOUR TASK
Mission Goal
Use available technology and resources to identify the perpetrators of the given crime.

Mission Objectives
  • Function as a member of a collaborative team to complete a Special Agent Assignment:
    • Translate a coded e-mail message by using an online translation site.
    • Collaborate with an expert to learn more about the suspects and to establish opportunity and motive.
    • Analyze a set of bookmarks to determine their connection to the crime.
    • Visit each TRC site to collect clues about the crime. Evaluate the clues to establish a motive for the crime.
  • Collaborate with investigative team members by sharing results from Special Agent Assignments.
  • Solve the crime by identifying the perpetrator(s) and/or motive.

Case Status:
_ Open/Pending
X Open/Active-Assigned
_ Closed